DUMAGUETE CITY – Police in Negros Oriental province reported Monday that 678 violators of local ordinances have been fined or issued warnings under the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) “Safer Cities” program.

Police Capt. Stephen Polinar, spokesperson of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOrPPO), told the Philippine News Agency that authorities recorded the violations in the province’s six cities and 19 municipalities on April 10 to 12.

“This is the result of the immediate implementation of a directive from the DILG Secretary against drinking alcohol in public places, shirtless individuals roaming city streets, the imposition of curfew hours, and regulated videoke activities, especially during nighttime,” Polinar said.

Records from NOrPPO showed that the majority of citations involved violations of local traffic codes, resulting in fines. Additionally, 53 individuals were booked for drinking and smoking in public places, while 34 minors violated local curfew ordinances.

Polinar clarified that minors are not detained but receive warnings against repeated offenses. They are released to their parents or told to go home.

Police chiefs in Negros Oriental are currently coordinating with local government units (LGUs) to lobby for the passage or stricter implementation of ordinances aligned with the DILG’s memorandum for safer cities.

NOrPPO recently conducted an inventory of existing provincial, city, and municipal laws to strengthen public safety. Based on reports from LGUs, 18 areas have existing curfew ordinances, seven regulate loud videoke activities, four prohibit drinking in public, and two enforce rules against being half-naked in public spaces.

DILG Memorandum Circular 2026-029 encourages LGUs to enact local ordinances to ensure public safety and make cities safer.

Philippine National Police chief Police Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. previously said officers must strictly follow operational procedures that are anchored on respect for human rights and the rule of law.

He said police commanders must coordinate with LGUs, especially on the community level.

"We are here to serve and protect, not to impose without purpose. While we are intensifying our presence to ensure that local ordinances are strictly followed, I want to be clear that the rights of our citizens remain paramount," he said in a statement on April 7, a day after the DILG released the circular.